RICHMOND – Following Governor Ralph Northam’s restoration of voting rights for more than 69,000 Virginians, Virginia State Conference NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. said: “While the Virginia NAACP is encouraged that the governor has restored the rights of over 69,000 Virginians, many of whom are Black and Brown, we remain steadfast in our campaign to secure and protect voting rights for all.”

Referencing Senator Mamie Locke’s bill SJ272 which would amend Virginia’s Constitution to include an explicitly-protected right to vote, President Barnette went on to say “Virginia must remove the racist, Jim Crow laws which are at the root of the problem that needs to be addressed.”

Further, President Barnette challenged the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial candidates, saying “Every candidate for Governor of Virginia should publicly state their position on passing Senator Locke’s Constitutional Amendment and voting rights so that Black and Brown voters can make informed decisions this election cycle.”

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting VSCNAACP.org.

Twitter: @NAACPVirginia Facebook: NAACPVirginia Instagram: @NAACP.Virginia

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